Grapes grown here

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The Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development announced an investment of $2.8 million for Osoyoos Indian Band Development Corporations for the construction of the Nk'Mip Cellars winery, expansion of vineyards and the development of the Desert and Heritage Interpretive Centre.

There will be 20- to 25 acres of organically grown grapes planted at the winery site. While the grapes would be marketable to any premium wine producer in British Columbia, they will go to the Nk"mip Cellars.

The interpretive centre will preserve up to 1,000 acres of the remaining tracts of desert lands left in Canada. The centre will provide for the First Nation stewardship of the lands, environmental education for visitors and a program to restore habitat and introduce species at risk onto the lands. The centre is expected to draw more than 80,000 visitors per year, injecting $1.5 million into the local economy, while creating jobs.